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"...McCarthy delivers with absolute clarity, adding engrossing touches to the melody lines but primarily constructing original versions of the tunes."—CADENCE MAGAZINE FOR CREATIVE AND IMPROVISED MUSIC

Nora is a New York based singer and vocal improviser, composer, lyricist, poet, and actress. She has produced and released two CDs red&blue (1996) and A Small Dream In Red (2005). In addition to herQu'ART'et, Nora leads and co-leads several music groups:The Conceptual Motion 20-piece Orchestra (which opened the VisionFestival X in 2005);A Small Dream In Red -- Voice and Saxophone Duo; The ACE (Afro-Caribbean-Experimental) Collective -- with alto saxophonist, Jorge Sylvester; and, the Beyond Words Voice and Bass Duo w/ Dominic Duval.

In addition, Nora hosts a monthly creative series at The Cornelia Street Cafe called "The Sidhe" -- People Of Peace, that features her various creative projects as well as some of New York's finest musicians, poets and visual artists. She participates in the annual Charlie Parker Festival held at The Gathering of the Tribes Gallery founded by Steve Cannon. Her various musical groups can be heard at many jazz and creative venues throughout New York City. Ms. McCarthy teaches privately and conducts workshops in vocal improvisation and assists master conductor Lawrence D. 'Butch' Morris with the Chorus of Poets and has been a participant of the Chorus since early 2005.

An innovator and song stylist, Nora combines an innate sense of harmony and phrasing with an astute understanding of sound, abstract form and design making her a leader in vocal improvisation today.

"...Her shaping of pitch often foregoes the fluid note-bending of the jazz singer in favor of the full press of a sculptor's touch against viscous clay."—RAMSEY AMEEN